4 or 5 years ago, there was an issue with student fees or athletics, ODU, RADFORD, LONGWOOD, VCU, JMU and MASON had very hight student fees. The state insitituted 2 rules maximum investment for university investment for athletics (20 percent of hte unversity budget, and student fees. JMU and ODU used these models to get them to FBS level. However, JMU did not lower their budget or student fees to meet the Comonwelath' rules while VT, who had the lowest student fees in the commonweatth was castiguised. No one has gone after ODU VCU and JMU to get into shape.

The rules only apply to Power 4 and FBS schools. Power 4 school student fees cannot exceed 20% of the budget. Other FBS schools have to get the fees to equal no more than 55% of the budget. JMU was given a seven year period to do that. The day of reckoning is fast approaching. I believe they have three more years. Mason, VCU do not play football so they are not FBS schools.

If you don’t have hundreds of thousands of living alumni you don’t have the donor base and as a result your students foot more of the bill. It’s been that way for a long time.

The article states that JMU charges their students at a much higher rate than just about all colleges in the United States regardless of their student enrollment.

I don't know about every metric related to that student fee, but I do know it's one of the highest in the nation..

They have ridden student fees to a CFP appearance. But they’ve become a rotating door for coaches. They have to expand their stadium to be an FBS-caliber stadium. They have to generate NIL money. And how crazy is it that students are paying $4000+ a year to fund athletics while the athletes are taking in NIL payment. The goal for JMU is to be a successful FBS athletic program. They’re off to a great start. But the university lacks a deep generous donor base to sustain what they’ve started

...if I'm not mistaken the GA passed a law putting limits on how much and/or how rapidly state schools could increase student fees, in response to what JMU did

money from the academic side to the athletic side around the same time? Whereas I think VA is still one of the more stricter states in terms of how fluid the money can flow between the two sides of the house.

athletics. State funds cannot. ** Edited by RJHokie at 12/19/2025, 8:30:50 AM

Executive Order signed by Gov. Kemp on September 17, 2024. If GA is allowing state funds to be used for NIL, then it is possible there are other similar laws on the books allowing state funds to be used for athletic related activities. Likewise, I know at one time LA and OH had laws on its books allowing state funds to be used to fund collegiate capital athletic projects. CT used state funds to build UConn's off campus stadium in East Hartford. Now the Commonwealth of VA currently doesn't have those laws on its books. Hence why I said VA may be one of the more conservative states on these issues. I am not saying one state's views on an issue is necessarily right or wrong. Just point out that not all states have taken the same position on this issue, so perceptually some states may give their schools an "advantage" in certain areas. As a result, it may influence schools like JMU to make certain business decisions because they may believe their state has placed them at some sort of disadvantage to other states.

should a bill be submitted to authorize state funds for NIL.

willing to use state funds to fund collegiate athletics, then should VA consider it too? I realize there are pros and cons to this issue, which is why I am not advocating VA should go one way or not another. I am strictly asking the question that most schools, if they have a good President and/or AD, should be asking Richmond. If Richmond wants VA schools to compete at the highest level and against schools from other states, then should it does its part to try to level the playing field for VA school as much as possible? Even if Richmond decides to limit how state funds can be used (aka in a very restrictive way), some help may still be "better" than no help. At the very least it should lead to spirited discussions in Richmond on whether Virginians truly want to participate at the highest level of collegiate athletics or not. If Virginians don't, but schools like VT and UVA do, then what does that mean for the schools going forward?

when such legislation is introduced. I remember quite a few years ago where the Virginia legislature approved/appropriated $1 million to U Va for replacement of their turf field with grass on the Scott Stadium field.